Are the playoffs reasonable guys?

[Disgruntled70sHab]

I don't have a crystal ball but I don't think the playoffs are that much out of reach for us to tell you the truth guys.

It's going to take a complete team effort but I think it's attainable. Gilmour has been contributing both on and off of the ice. Judging by the way his teammates react to him, Gilmour seems to have gained their respect. That's extremely important for a leader. Theodore brings his best game to the rink just about every night now, while Jeff Hackett hasn't said a word about being his backup. That in itself is a form of leadership insomuch that it helps the team by accepting the role. Heck, Brisebois has been quitely going about his business and getting the job done. I wish Quintal would step up more often. Don't get me wrong he's playing well, but I think he could definitely contribute more on the leadership front.

There's a good blend of youth that seems to be making a difference. It's just a damn shame Hossa has to play on the 4th line, but where else are you going to play him? Doc has always like Ribeiro and Mike seems to be the real deal now. Arron Asham knows what it takes to stick around and is playing well too. I can't say about Markov, because I haven't seen as many games as you guys have. But, I haven't been reading any negative posts on him lately.

At least two line combinations are working out well. Gilmour, Petrov and Zednik may be small, but they're fast and never stop working. Juneau, Dackell and Bulis can check any line in the league right now (fingers crossed after saying that). Bulis has two excellent NHLers to play with and that's making a difference. They certainly click anyway. I'm hoping Ribeiro and Perrault become a tandem and start putting up some numbers.

Add Audette and possibly Koivu to the lineup and I think the playoffs aren't too distant really. Now, if that piece of optimism isn't the kiss of death I don't know what is. Cheers.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

what i find most encouraging about this year's edition is the steady, continued improvement in the play of the young guys - bulis, ribeiro, théodore, markov . we have a core of stable, battle-tested veterans who have by and large played up to form. what's not to like?

andré savard's special blend seems to be coming together quite nicely, despite no small amount of adversity through injury. in fact the weathering of each strain, sprain, bruise or break has only served to further strengthen the club. therrien has had to be damn creative at times in his use of personnel [mostly successful]. kids have made the most of ice time [even more successful].

i'll be printing first round tickets this week.

[dum_di_dum]

Well, Dis, I think the playoffs are attainable. if the Bulis-Juneau-Dackell line can stay healthy that give us one line that we know for sure has chemistry and is defensivley sound. The issue are the other lines. Even is zednik and Ribeiro are clicking, I still think Therrien has failed to find a decent player for tht line. IMO I think hossa would be agreat fit, but Like you Dis, I'm disappointed that Therrien had him on the 4th line almost all game. As for Savage, well, he should get the boot. Perrault should be playing better but for some reason he just looks tired. We should give him a couple of days off.

overall though, we have a great chance of making the playofs. I still think we need a bonifide goal scorer until Audette comes back. Our only chance to land one is by using Hack and savage as bait...but until then...we'll have to rely on Theo because as the old cliche goes, the best offense is defense.

3D

[Big_D]

I don't see why not.  With our youngens playing the way they are, and Theo playing the way he is, and Gilmour finally strutting his stuff, the playoffs are not impossible by any stretch of the imagination.  The key, of course, is whether or not we can keep it up.  With the Rangers stinkin' out the joint lately, and the Isles doing the same, one has to wonder whether or not they are for real, or if they were just early season pretenders.  I can't see New Jersey playing as bad as they are, all season long.  The big thing is whether we can stay reasonably healthy for the duration.

[habscout]

Sure, the playoffs are attainable. I few other factors have to go the Habs way, namely the other teams fighting for the bottom 3-4 playoff spots. I think that the Rangers and Islanders will falter and either one or possibly both of them could find themselves out of a playoff position. The Devils will make it there, as they are bound to improve.

[Pam]

Hey, I'm not a rookie anymore!!  

Many of you know I've been on HabsRus from almost it's very beginning (almost 2 years now). For the last almost two years I've been saying I hope the Habs make the Playoffs. I will say it again.

[glow=red,2,300]I hope the Habs reach the Playoffs this season![/glow]

Good luck guys. I think It would be pretty cool to see our two teams face off against each other.

[Boston_Habs]

RE the playoffs, we're right on the cusp but I think teams like NJ and WSH are more capable of getting hot down the stretch. The Habs are what they are: a .500 team that should be competitive most nights, esp when they get good goaltending, but ultimately our lack of scoring, size, and team defense will keep us out. You could also throw in weak coaching and general player mismanagement as an obvious stumbling block.

[Pam]

Boston_Habs said:

RE the playoffs, we're right on the cusp but I think teams like NJ and WSH are more capable of getting hot down the stretch. The Habs are what they are: a .500 team that should be competitive most nights, esp when they get good goaltending, but ultimately our lack of scoring, size, and team defense will keep us out. You could also throw in weak coaching and general player mismanagement as an obvious stumbling block.

Hi Boston_Hab. Are you the same guy as the one from the old HabsRus (before CO made the face lift)?

I won't give up on your Habs. I would much rather see them in the Playoffs than Buffalo, Washington, Boston or New Jersey.

[Boston_Habs]

That's me. I will never give up on the Habs, but this drought is getting to be a drag... almost like 1967 for Leafs fans.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

Are the playoffs reasonable??? The Hab's have a pattern of sticking close enough to break our hearts.

[Pam]

Boston_Habs said:

That's me. I will never give up on the Habs, but this drought is getting to be a drag... almost like 1967 for Leafs fans.

Hi. Glad to know it is you.   I don't think you need to put the Habs in the 1967 category yet. It's been 34 years for us. It's only been a few years for you. I hope you never have to face a drought like we Leafs fans have (I haven't been a Leafs fan for 34 years though).